Buying a Saiga .223/5.56x45

Would like to have a basic Kalashnikov-action rifle in .223/5.56 but doesn't seem many are available in VA at affordable prices. How recommendable is the Saiga .223? Is it worth buying one and converting it to AK configuration? Thanks for any tips based on your experiances with the .223 Saiga.

Yes it's worth getting.
They are made basicly like an AK74 but with a 223 barrel.
To do the stock and pistol grip conversion, you mainly just have to remove the plate on the bottom of the receiver and remount the trigger gaurd, all the holes are already there.
On the barrel the grooves are already cut on the side of the barrel for the hand gaurd retainer, but you'd have to replace the gas block and front sight, I don't think these can be reinstalled after removing.

I'm going to soon be putting up some pics of mine, I'll be putting it in the conversion section.

"Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem" Ronald Reagan

Yes its worth it! we just got them in at our shop and I bought one to try out and I really like it! Its accurate and lightwight,and anything an Ak can take so can it so thats a plus considering I got 2 AK's!I dont know what they charge where you live ,but we sell them for 399 I think...yea

Would like to have a basic Kalashnikov-action rifle in .223/5.56 but doesn't seem many are available in VA at affordable prices. How recommendable is the Saiga .223? Is it worth buying one and converting it to AK configuration? Thanks for any tips based on your experiances with the .223 Saiga.

I got one, but it's in 7.62x39.

Got it for around $320 or 350 a while back, with skeleton stock and a crappy 10shot magazine.
(you can buy 30rd magazines or slightly higher i believe, but then again, you could just break out the Dremel and grind the mag-catch down so it will accept normal AK mags, but you also need to get a Feed-ramp kit from dinzagarms.com)

These are excellent rifles, Russian quality, rock solid....they are typically alittle heavier than most AK's i've handled in the past, but that's actually a good thing in my mind.

They are worth buying and modifying and giving it a custom look or accessories.
(as long as you can get a good deal on the rifle)

The saiga .223 is definitely one of the best. And I actually like the fact that it comes in bare-bone at approximately $150-$250 less than the variants sold that are made up of used, surplus, and QC questionable parts. With the saiga, you are free to finish the weapon any way you want it. From as simple as adding american 30 round magazines and a $10 gas piston; to a complete conversion back to a full AK. You can have AK stock with a Galil foregrip. Change the trigger group or add a muzzle break. You can spend as little or as much as you want. And when you're done, the weapon is exactly how you want it. With one of the variants, you get what you get, whether you like it all or not. And you pay more for it. Saiga is definitely the way to go. Best of all worlds. Price, Quality, and flexibility.

Saiga .223's are a great value, especially if you just do a basic conversion. If you do the the front end you are going to be closing in on the cost of an Arsenal .223 which comes with a very cool polymer folding stock.